PLUM-PICKIN’ WORK PARTY

September 5–7 (Friday dinner – Sunday breakfast) Come to Indralaya for this fun end-of-the-summer weekend of gardening, cooking, wood gathering, and more, followed by relaxing evenings by the fire. If they’re ripe, we will harvest the plums!

BEFRIENDING OURSELVES AND LIVING IN THE WORLD AS IT IS

These two programs provide an opportunity to refresh and inspire oneself in a beautiful autumn setting at Indralaya. Brother Phap Än and Minor Lile will collaborate in this offering of consecutive programs that will explore spiritual development from both a Buddhist and a theosophical perspective. Whether you are able to attend one or both of these weekend programs, we welcome your participation. While these programs in part offer a sequential approach to personal development, it is not necessary to attend both to benefit, nor is there any need to be at the first weekend in order to attend the second.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION (week 1)

September 11-14 (Thursday dinner - Sunday lunch) It is a basic teaching of most spiritual traditions that before one can embark upon the path, one must prepare oneself for the trip. Accordingly, this weekend will provide an opportunity for participants to explore ways of grounding/establishing oneself and living in balance in a chaotic world. Through discussion, reflection, and experiential practices suggested by both theosophy and Buddhism, participants will have an opportunity to clarify their own ethical values through the exploration of themes such as right speech, right action, right livelihood, ahimsa, and being of service.

Minor Lile was a resident manager of Indralaya from 1995 to 2006. A student of theosophy and Buddhism, as well as other spiritual traditions, for many years, Minor is currently enrolled in a master's degree program in spiritual direction.

Program Fee $65

BEFRIENDING OURSELVES AND LIVING IN THE WORLD AS IT IS

DISCIPLINING THE MIND AND DEVELOPING INSIGHT (week 2)

September 18-21 (Thursday dinner - Sunday lunch) By learning practices to discipline the mind, one comes to deeper insight into the nature of reality and can develop greater capacities to practice compassion and loving- kindness. Bro. Phap Än is well known at Indralaya for his engaging question-and-answer sessions. The program will also include daily meditation practice, dharma talks, and opportunity for gentle relaxation.

Brother Phap Än is a dharma teacher and member of the monastic community led by the renowned Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. The Venerable Phap Än currently spends six months of the year teaching and six months in contemplative retreat. He is a charming man who shares the Buddhist teachings with wisdom, insight, and a warm sense of humor. Suggested reading: Thich Nhat Hanh, For a Future to Be Possible; H.P. Blavatsky, The Key to Theosophy (Joy Mills edition); Bikkhu Bodhi, In the Buddha's Words.

Program Fee $65

T'AI CHI CH'UAN: OPEN HEART, EMPTY STEPS

September 25-28 (Thursday dinner - Sunday lunch) The slow, fluid movements of taijiquan (t'ai chi ch'uan), which are based on the principle of empty stepping, are designed to quiet the heart and silence the mind so that we can attune to the deeper rhythms of our life force, our qi.

For most of us, healing is a process that takes place after an injury, an illness, or a loss. Our healers are physicians or other professionals who are trained to manage the intricacies and out- comes of that process. In taijiquan healing is more than just fixing what is broken, it is what allows us to be open and to express our true nature, our spirit, while honoring that same spirit in all living things. The goal is to make our action itself, our living, a healing art.

On this retreat, we will use some of the tradition al movements of Guang Ping Yang taijiquan to explore the healing power of motion. These movements, along with seated meditations and other exercises, will allow us to perform three fundamental steps in the healing dance: clear the heart, open the heart, and share the heart. It is not necessary to have had prior experience with Taijiquan.

Colin Berg has been a student of taijiquan since 1974. He has taught taiji and meditation extensively in Southern California and Washington State. He is the author of Tales of One-Who-Seeks; Feather and Stone: Songs of T'ai Chi Ch'uan; and Leaving No Track: A View of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. He will be assisted on this retreat by fellow taiji instructors Ann Blanch and Barbara Gleisner.

Program fee $65

FALL HARVEST WORK PARTY

October 3-6 (Friday dinner - Monday breakfast) Come help in the picking, slicing, dicing, drying, juicing, saucing, and freezing of apples as we harvest the orchard. As always, there will be a wide variety of other projects to participate in as well. This is Indralaya's most popular work party.

END-OF-SEASON WORK PARTY

November 7-9 (Friday dinner - Sunday breakfast) Late fall is an excellent time to visit Indralaya and observe the forces of nature at work. The focus of this work party is on preparing the camp for the upcoming winter.